Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed a request for a royal order to remove National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck from his position, insisting the move is strictly in accordance with the law and due process.
The request centres on Mr Sarana's alleged lack of the proper qualifications for the job.
Mr Anutin, also interior minister, said on Tuesday that he had signed and submitted the request for a royal command to dismiss Mr Sarana from both his position and membership of the NBTC.
He stressed that every step had been taken in accordance with the law and established procedures.
"I have signed it. I followed every step of the procedure. I did not do this with any ill intention. Everything was done according to procedure, based on opinions from within the government and from individuals," he said.
The prime minister shrugged off concerns when asked whether the move could create a vacuum in the NBTC's operations, saying other commissioners remained in office and could continue carrying out their duties.
"There are still commissioners remaining, aren't there?" he said.
The NBTC was an independent regulatory body and the government had no authority to direct or supervise its operations, the prime minister said.
"The government cannot interfere. We can only provide cooperation if there are any problems. All operations must remain the responsibility of the NBTC. Its name clearly indicates that it is an independent organisation," Mr Anutin said.
Earlier, a legal expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that the qualification controversy surrounding the NBTC chairman could become a hot potato for the prime minister.
He said Mr Anutin should examine all the details carefully before taking any further action on the case.
One issue is whether the NBTC selection committee had full authority to pass a resolution on July 17 declaring that NBTC chairman Sarana lacks the qualifications required for the office.
Last week, the Central Administrative Court dismissed the petition filed by Mr Sarana against the selection committee’s resolution.
The court did not rule on the legality of the selection committee’s resolution. Instead, it dismissed Mr Sarana’s petition on the grounds he had not yet suffered a legally actionable injury from the committee’s resolution, meaning the conditions required for the court to accept his lawsuit for consideration had not been met.
